Tip: Feed a cold, but starve a fever.
From time to time, I have mentioned a health tip that I have found helpful and the response I receive always amazes me. So many people tell me that applying those little “tidbits” of wisdom became a turning point in their health. That makes me happy!
I am not a physician by any stretch of the imagination. I do have an earned doctorate degree, but it is not in medicine. I am often amused when I hear people call me “Dr. Rohm” because most people who we call “Doctor” are physicians or dentists. (A friend of mine who once taught a Bible study for a group of doctors and dentists. He said he discovered that dentists resent the fact that physicians are called “doctors” but they are called “dentists”. They are actually both doctors. Just a thought to ponder! But, enough of that for now!)
One secret to good health is in knowing how to take care of yourself when you do get sick. Now, I am all for staying well and healthy. However, from time to time the reality of life has taught all of us that sickness does occur. When that happens, you need to know how to take care of yourself in order to recover as quickly as possible.
I have learned that if I have a cold and do not feel well, my body is telling me it needs additional nutrition and help. It is time to load up on extra vitamin C and protein. I usually drink more orange juice and Swanson’s Chicken Broth (fondly referred to as “Jewish penicillin”) than I normally do and eat lots of black eye peas which are very high in protein. I have discovered that when I do that, my body bounces back to health rather quickly. (Get ready for this next piece of advice because you are going to think I have completely lost my mind!!) I have also discovered that holding a hair dryer and allowing it to blow warm air (on a low speed) in my face helps to dry up my sinus passages very quickly. I am trying to create a “desert effect”! Caution: It is important to only let the hair dryer “sweep” briefly past your face while you try to breathe deeply several times. Do not just point it toward your nose for an extended period of time, nor set it on a high setting or you may fry your nostrils and your brains!
I once heard on the radio that two Israeli physicians had discovered a cure for the common cold. Their patients were taken to the desert to Mt. Sinai Hospital and given warm heat breathing treatments. Anyone with any sense knows if you have a cold, you would not want to go to a cool, swampland. You would want to be in a warm, dry area which would allow your cold to dry up more quickly. The physicians reasoned that if being in the desert helped cure your cold, maybe warm, dry air was the key. I have found it to be helpful. Feeding your body when you have a cold and warming your face with a hair dryer causes immediate help to be on the way. I am usually well in 24 hours!
When I have fever and feel achy all over with flu-like symptoms, I know my body does not need food. Food only drives my temperature up and causes me to be sick even longer. I have found that the best thing to do is to drink plenty of water and get more rest. However, if I have a bacterial infection, I know that a prescription strength antibiotic is what I need. Many times, it is necessary to just “ride out” a virus until you begin to feel better. Again, lots of water, lots of Gatorade, and lots of rest seems to help.
I should add, once again, that I am not a physician! These are just a couple of ideas that I have found helpful to speed up my recovery when I have not been feeling well for a little while. But, as I mentioned recently, I am never sick! But when I feel the “scaryman” trying to get me, I know what to do. Now, you do too!
I hope these “horse sense” remedies will help you to recover quickly and get back to good health quickly the next time you feel sick and need a little lift. By the way, you can make fun of me all you want to – and that is okay. But my response would always be the same – namely, don’t “knock it until you have tried it.” Because I have been using these remedies for years, I know first-hand that they really do work! Besides, who has time to be sick anymore? I have too much living to do…and so do you!
Tip: Feed a cold, but starve a fever.
Have a great week! God bless you!
Dr. Robert A. Rohm
